Early upgrade options?
Is there a secret to upgrade early? I'm extremely unhappy with my phone and want to go back to iPhone, any suggestions?
Posted May 1, 2015, 5:40 PM UTC
210
Are you under a two year or next?
Based on that I can give you some options!
1
I'm under a two year, a year into it right now.
1
What plan are you on?
Customer relations can generally get you to next once you are at least six months into your contract. It's not a promise but it could be an option for you!
1
We have 3 phones, 2 with unlimited data plans, the other with a 3gb I think, longtime customer
1
I'm guessing you don't want to give up those unlimited plans (check your actual usage to see if it would make sense to switch, but I'll assume this for now).
Technically you can do an early NEXT upgrade since you're less than 12 months away from your contract end date, and get a new phone that way. However, you won't receive any out-of-contract discount to counteract the extra $15-$40 per month (depends on the phone) like there would be if you were on one of the Mobile Share Value plans.
Otherwise you can do the "early iPhone upgrade" option that other people mentioned, which is quite expensive.
Or you could add a new line to the account to get a new subsidized device, switch the new phone to your line, and put a basic phone on the new line to remove the data package. This will cost you $10 per month for the next 2 years for that basic phone line access plus the $40 Activation fee for a total cost of $280 plus the subsidized cost of the new phone. Not ideal, but it's an option. EDIT: I just realized that this is basically the same dollar amount as doing the iPhone early upgrade without all the hassle, might be easier to go that route.
Alternatively, sell your current device on eBay or Craigslist and buy a new/used iPhone the same way.
1
You are eligible to upgrade early into a new 2 year agreement with an additional $250 fee on top of the subsidized contract price. After 18 months, you will be able to upgrade with Next to any device of your choosing, with an installment plan to pay off the full retail price of the phone in small monthly payments added to your bill.
0
If you're on a 2 year contract you can go to AT&T next, you can add a new line to your account, or you can do an "early upgrade" where you pay an extra $250 or something ridiculous to upgrade. That's really about it.